Lin Yu and the others left in quite a hurry; Bai Gan originally wanted to leave the Southern Border with them and even felt melancholic for a long time. In the end, before they could even start, Lin Yu and her group had already departed...

Upon entering the room where Lin Yun stayed, Bai Gan found the items Lin Yu had left behind.

Five spiritual objects, all left there, accompanied by a few words: "A modest gift to express my humble regards. When we meet again in the future, I shall thank you properly."

Lin Yu was a person of propriety. Although Lin Yun’s awakening had nothing to do with Bai Jing, they had stayed temporarily at White Wind Stronghold for the past few days, owing them a favor. Not showing gratitude would be impolite, and the spiritual objects she brought back were originally for Lin Yun. Now that Lin Yun had no use for them, giving them away did seem a bit presumptuous.

Therefore, she left a note, implying that this was just a token of her esteem. They were currently in a hurry, but next time she would surely repay the kindness with something substantial!

"Central Plains People are really courteous. These five spiritual objects are invaluable treasures; if this is considered a modest gift, then how substantial must future gratitude be!"

Bai Jing’s eyes lit up with excitement, and his face was filled with joy, while Bai Gan couldn’t help but comment, "Since when did you become so greedy? This is a bonus gratitude gift; if you keep wanting more, be careful not to lose more than you gain."

Bai Jing understood this notion, but facing his sister’s critique, he simply laughed, "Perhaps I’ve always been greedy, I just never encountered anything that could move me before. The Central Plains is indeed vast and rich; even their powerful figures disdain such fine treasures."

"Yes, brother, I want to go see the Central Plains."

Bai Jing: "..."

I merely praised Central Plains for its richness, and you want to go?

Bai Jing looked at his sister with suspicion, frowning, "Don’t tell me you’ve taken a fancy to Brother Lin and want to leave the mountains to continue your past relationship with him?"

Bai Gan blushed and retorted, "Not at all! Relationships between men and women only make sense if there is mutual affection. Lin Yun has been indifferent towards me; it’s clear he has no such feelings, so don’t overthink it, brother."

"So he has no feelings for you, which means you have feelings for him?"

"I’m not talking to you anymore. I’m going to pack my things!"

Bai Gan said in a vexed manner and left in a hurry.

Bai Jing, looking again at Lin Yu’s thank-you gifts, suddenly felt they were bland.

These items, they wouldn’t become a betrothal gift, would they?

Though I received some spiritual objects, I also lost a gentle and considerate sister.

Isn’t this a loss?

The next day, Bai Gan had her belongings packed and was ready to depart for distant lands.

She wore a white dress similar in style to Lin Yu’s, which had been hastily tailored overnight by the people in the stronghold; there was another set in her backpack.

This kind of dress meant she wouldn’t have to worry about the wind blowing it away, and it also conformed to the local customs.

Wearing a coat similar to Lin Yu’s, Bai Gan felt she too looked like a little fairy.

The people of the stronghold accompanied her for more than ten miles; eventually, they had to part ways. Bai Jing’s eyes brimmed with tears as he watched his sister’s departing figure, feeling as if she was walking on a path given away for free.

However, Bai Gan was in high spirits; it was her first time traveling far from home. Although she was a bit nervous, she was more excited.

There likely wouldn’t be any significant events in the Southern Border for some time. During the two days Lin Yun was unconscious, Bai Jing, holding the title of the strongest in the Southern Border, had managed to take over another stronghold with the aid of Gao Qing. Black Wind Fort hadn’t mounted much resistance, and Gao Qing had poisoned many of their important figures.

Her ruthless and decisive retribution made even Bai Jing somewhat afraid.

But it was also thanks to Gao Qing’s ruthlessness that Bai Jing could use his own kind-heartedness to win over others. One played the good cop, while the other played the bad cop. Although they couldn’t be said to have completely unified everything, it was almost there, only some minor details remained unsolved, which didn’t need Bai Gan’s worry.

Bai Gan elegantly proceeded along the South China Path when suddenly she spotted a familiar figure ahead.

The person was dressed in black, and from a distance, one could easily spot her large buttocks. Bai Gan felt dissatisfied internally, but remembering that Bai Jing’s unification of the Southern Border wouldn’t have been possible without Gao Qing’s major contributions, she couldn’t justify treating Gao Qing with disdain.

However, this was South China Path, beyond which lay the Myriad Poison Forest, and past that was the Central Plains Boundary. The Myriad Poison Forest served as the last barrier of the Southern Border and a checkpoint to prevent those from the Southern Border without real ability from crossing over. Could it be that Gao Qing had come here because she also wished to go to the Central Plains?

This could be an opportunity to travel together.

With that thought, Bai Gan quickened her pace and called out, "Sister Gao!"

It was customary in the stronghold to address each other as ’brother’ and ’sister’. Since Gao Qing was older, it wasn’t inappropriate for Bai Gan to call her sister.

Gao Qing turned around and saw Bai Gan with her luggage. She couldn’t help but smile and said, "Aren’t you going to stay behind and be your little princess? Where do you plan to go?"

With Bai Jing about to unify the Southern Border, calling Bai Gan a little princess wasn’t an exaggeration. Compared to the princesses of the Central Plains, Bai Gan’s status might even be held in higher regard in the Southern Border.

"Stop teasing me. What little princess? Sister Gao, do you also want to go to the Central Plains?"

Although Bai Gan had a figure full of charm, standing in front of Gao Qing, she seemed somehow more innocent.

Not long ago, the two had been at odds, yet now they were addressing each other as sisters amicably.

Hearing Bai Gan’s words, Gao Qing looked back with a touch of melancholy at the direction of the stronghold and then smiled brightly, "I’ve killed too many people in the Southern Border, I can no longer blend in here. It just so happens I have a brother in the Central Plains; I plan to go find him and tell him everything about the past."

Gao Qing appeared quite open-minded, her smile brimming with positive energy.

In comparison to her brother, who was raising gu to seek revenge outside, Gao Qing and her mother had been much more efficient. However, the word ’forbearance’ is not so easy to live by.

Now that everything had settled, it was time to let Xu Xifeng know the truth.

As for whether they could acknowledge each other as siblings afterward, Gao Qing could only do her best.

"Hey, since that’s the case, why don’t we travel together?"

Bai Gan naturally suggested traveling together, and Gao Qing laughed, "You little girl really are fearless and ignorant, willing to travel with anyone. Aren’t you afraid I might sell you?"

"I don’t think you’re bad at all. You’ve been able to endure for so long to avenge your parents. My brother says you are quite remarkable!"

If Bai Gan hadn’t seen the change in Gao Qing, she wouldn’t have naively invited her to travel together.

Hearing this, Gao Qing was momentarily stunned and looked at Bai Gan with much softer eyes.

"Alright then, sister, let’s travel together. But you’ll have to be careful. The people from the Central Plains are very cunning; I won’t be protecting you."

"Don’t worry, I don’t need your protection!"

Bai Gan and Gao Qing thus easily joined forces. Crossing the Myriad Poison Forest didn’t pose much of an obstacle to them. It was only nearing the Central Plains that Gao Qing suddenly remembered something very important.

"Now that we’ve reached the Central Plains, we must be careful in everything. The first thing is to pretend to be Central Plains People and change our names."

Once Bai Gan heard this, she also felt it made sense. Her eyes twinkling, she suggested, "I think we don’t need to change our last names. A change of first name will suffice. What about just Jie for me?"

Gao Qing couldn’t help but purse her lips; no wonder there were rumors of Bai Gan fancying her brother—she always chose a name that paired well with his, undeniably a case of brother complex.

However, she had no intention of arguing with Bai Gan over such a trivial matter.

"If that’s the case, then I’ll also keep the surname Gao. As for the given name..."

Gao Qing thought for a moment. According to the virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and integrity esteemed in the Central Plains, she was left with ’righteousness’.

"I shall go by the name Yi..."